Thomas Nast: The Father of Modern Political Cartoons
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Fiona Deans Halloran and Pat Bagley
Thomas Nast (1840-1902), pioneered American political cartooning. He created the Republican elephant and popularized the depiction of Santa Claus. Many prominent figures felt the sting of biting satire, including “Boss” Tweed of Tammany Hall. However, Nast's legacy also includes contradictions. He supported civil rights, the Union Army, and Black veterans, but also used offensive stereotypical images of black men and suggested that their votes were easily manipulated. Halloran and celebrated editorial cartoonist Bagley will speak about the life and legacy of Thomas Nast with a particular focus on his views on African American voting and on cartooning as a form of political commentary.